Sunday, February 11, 1 p.m., Orcas Center
— from Susannah Weaver for Orcas Center —
Orcas Center presents the New York Met’s new production of Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore streaming Live in HD on Sunday, February 11 at 1 p.m. Come and see this stirring love story and hilarious comedy with music that moves the soul in what the Huffington Post raves: “Funny, delightful, and tender—a thoroughly enjoyable night of Italian opera!”
Pretty Yende debuts a new role at the Met’s L’Elisir d’Amore (“The Elixir of Love”), as the feisty Adina, opposite Matthew Polenzani, who enthralled Live in HD audiences as Nemorino in 2012 with his ravishing “Una furtiva lagrima.” Bartlett Sher’s charming production delights with its deft comedic timing, but also reveals the emotional heart of the opera. Domingo Hindoyan conducts.
The story begins when the shy Nemorino approaches the beautiful but shy Adina, he proclaims his love to her – only to find her indifferent to him. Noticing that she is reading Tristan and Isolde, he is immediately inspired; would a love potion give him his heart’s desire? Conveniently, a traveling salesman happens to be passing through the village, and Nemorino buys a bottle of the “potion” from him, not realizing it is a fake.
The two dance around each other; Nemorino with his newfound confidence that he believes his elixir has given him—it’s just a bottle of Bordeaux!—and acts indifferently to Adina, who immediately agrees to marry a soldier in the local militia out of revenge for this snub. It’s only when the nuptials are called that Nemorino panics; he buys yet another bottle, using money earned through enlisting with the army as a last resort. Comically, this brings all the local girls to him, but not Adina. Will these two be able to stop playing mind games long enough to realize their love for each other?
The Huffington Post says, “The exquisite Pretty Yende who is fast becoming a favorite at the Met, is a natural as Adina, her voice has a lilting silvery quality. While the New York Times says, “Yende brought a winning combination of elegance and spunk and sang beautifully from the start. Mr. Polenzani was a worthy foil, singing with pliant strength and clarion tone. He summoned melting emotion in his second act showpiece, ‘Una furtiva lagrima,’ polishing the tone like a fine jewel.” Don’t miss this opportunity to be initiated to a “front row” opera with internationally acclaimed greats at Orcas Center.
Tickets for the Met’s L’Elisir d’Amore are $20 and $15 for students, with $2 off for Orcas Center members. They may be purchased at www.orcascenter.org or by calling 360-376-2281 ext. 1 or visiting the Orcas Center Box Office open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 12-3 pm. $5 subsidized tickets available at the Box Office. This show is rescheduled from November 26 and those ticket holders have tickets available in the box office for the January 14 event. For more information about Orcas Center’s 2017-2018 season visit www.orcascenter.org.
